‘Outgoing’ Saskia took her own life on level crossing

Network Rail working to stop future deaths

A “funny and outgoing” mental health assistant took her own life by stepping in front of a train, an inquest has been told. Saskia Pitt, 23, died on a level crossing in Farleigh Road, Canterbury, in a tragic incident ruled a suicide.

An inquest into her death was told she had been her “normal self” and looking forward to moving home, but had argued with her boyfriend twice on the day of the tragedy on January 21 this year.

Shortly after, the former Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School pupil had a tearful phone conversation with a friend, and told her she had a razor blade. She was later seen by a couple on the Park Alley level crossing, near Broad Oak Road, reportedly in her pyjamas and shining a torch from her phone. The driver of the oncoming train slammed on his emergency brakes as Miss Pitt stepped out in front of him, but it was too late.

Miss Pitt suffered multiple injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene

A toxicology report, which detects substances such as drugs and alcohol, found “nothing of significance” in her system.

The inquest at Archbishop’s Palace in Maidstone was told Miss Pitt had received counselling at the start of 2020 following the death of both of her parents, but decided she no longer needed the service when the pandemic struck in March. She had been staying in university accommodation before moving into a house in Sturry Road in August with people she did not know while she pursued a career as a mental health assistant.

The last time she had spoken with her maternal aunt, Jackie Smith - who was present via video-link at the inquest - had been the day before her death. They had been discussing CCTV being installed at Miss Pitt’s home after her car tyres were damaged.

But she was reported to be her “normal self” and had been looking at finding other accommodation.

Coroner Joanne Andrews ruled her death as a suicide and added: “She’s reported to have been stood in front of the train as it approached and it does not appear she tried to step out of the way.”

The hearing was told Network Rail is looking to close the level crossing, with the coroner considering evidence on whether to submit a report to prevent further deaths.

A spokesman for the rail firm said: “Our thoughts are with the family of Saskia at this time and we are working with the coroner to look at what can be done working with other agencies to prevent future such tragedies occurring on the railway.” For confidential support on an emotional issue, call Samaritans on 116 123 at any time or visit www.samaritans.org.

‘We are working with the coroner to look at what can be done...to prevent future such tragedies’

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Saskia was a mental health assistant